This NC spot is among the best sculpture parks in the country, USA Today says
One of the best sculpture parks in the country features dozens of whimsical metal structures created by a man who never called himself an artist.
The late Vollis Simpson, who grew up and lived in the small Wilson County town Lucama, made a career out of repairing machines and moving houses.
He didn’t start building the objects now known as “whirligigs” until he retired.
The whirligigs — metal sculptures with elements that move in the wind — were first assembled in Simpson’s property in Lucama but have since been repaired, restored and transported to nearby Wilson.
The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, named one of the best sculpture parks in the country in a recent USA Today 10Best competition, has been open to the public since 2017.
USA Today 10Best sculpture parks
Sculpture parks were nominated by a panel of experts and narrowed down by 10Best editors. USA Today readers then voted on their favorite parks.
Here’s the ranking:
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park: Wilson, North Carolina
- Brookgreen Gardens: Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
- Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park: Hamilton, Ohio
- Grounds For Sculpture: Hamilton, New Jersey
- Laumeier Sculpture Park: St. Louis, Missouri
- San Juan Islands Sculpture Park: Friday Harbor, Washington
- Griffis Sculpture Park: East Otto, New York
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Storm King Art Center: New Windsor, New York
About the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park
Located at 301 Goldsboro St. in Wilson, the park features 30 whirligigs made of recycled industrial parts. Some of them stand more than 50 feet tall, according to the park’s website.
Work on the the 2-acre park in what was once the “World’s Greatest Tobacco Market” began in 2010, The News & Observer previously reported. At the time, the whirligigs were falling into disrepair as Simpson could no longer maintain them.
In addition to the whirligigs, the park includes a covered stage and lawn area, plus a park shelter that hosts the Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market and other events. The museum and gift shop, located at 230 Goldsboro St., opened in 2022.
How to see the whirligigs
It’s free to visit the park and requires no tickets, the park’s website says. Nearby parking is free.
The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, including on holidays. The park is about a one-hour drive from Raleigh, four hours from Asheville and two hours from the coastline.
Other great attractions in North Carolina
Several other institutions in the state have recently been featured prominently on USA Today 10Best lists:
- The North Carolina Museum of Art and North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, both in Raleigh, were among the best free museums in the country.
- Downtown Raleigh’s Marbles Kids Museum is one of the best children’s museums in the U.S.
- The Morehead Planetarium & Science Center in Chapel Hill is among the country’s best planetariums.
- Beech Mountain History Museum took the No. 5 spot on USA Today’s list of the best small-town museums.
Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee is one of the best open-air museums.
Located in Wilmington, Battleship North Carolina ranked No. 5 in the list of best museum ships.
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This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM with the headline "This NC spot is among the best sculpture parks in the country, USA Today says."
